Improvement in traps for steam-pipes



Patented Dec. 2,1873.

M. T. DAVIDSON.

Traps for Steam-Pipes.

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` within which th MARSHALL T. DAVIDSON OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN TRAPS FOR STEAM-PIPES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 145,157, dated December 2, 18

73; application filed October A14, 1873.

[State of New York, have invented an Automatic Trap to Discharge Air from Steam- Pipes, of which the following' is a specification:

My automatic tra a valve attached to copper or other through and arou lowed to pass,

p consists, essentially, of the extremity ot a pipe of highly expansive metal, nd which the steam is aland an outer pipe of iron, e copper pipe is set adjustably, so that the proximity of the valve to its seat may be regulated, a-s required. The outer pipe may be applied to or form partof a steamheating coil. The greater expansibility and eontractibility of the copper pipe, and. the greater heat imparted thereto by the circulation of the steam on both the inside and outside of it, cause the valve to be tightly closed when the pipes are full of steam, and to be opened when air accumulates in the pipes, allowing the parts to cool by radiation.

In the accompanying drawing', Figure lis a vertical section of the upper end of a steamheating coil with my automatic regulator attached. Fig. 2 is a view of the lower end of the regulator at x w, Fig. l, the connecting-pipe being omitted.V Fig. 3 is a view of the upper end thereof at y y, Fig. l, the cap-pipe being omitted. Fig. 4. is a horizontal section at e z, Fig. l. Fig. 5 -is a vertical section illustrating attachments by which the apparatus is tested andV adjusted, as hereinafter de to its application to the steamit is to form a part.

A represents a pipe, to be applied to the coil7 of which upper end of a pipe, C, forming part of the coil of a steam heating apparatus. B is an adjustable head, occupying the threaded upper end of the said pipe. This head is formed with a square, b, for the recept-ion of a suitable key to adjust it, and with a central aperture, b', countersunk at its base, to serve as a sea-t for the valve D, which is attached to the end of a copper pipe, E, xed in a head, F, which latter is threaded on its periphery, and lits within a corresponding screw-thread in the lower end of the pipe A, so that, by turning the connected head F and pipe E, the valve scribed, prior D may be adjusted relatively toits seat, as may be necessary. For this purpose the head is formed with a square, G, for the reception of a key. An aperture g, extends through the square G, to admit stealn to the interior of the pipe E 5 and apertures f, surrounding the said square, admit steam to the space around the pipe E. In' the upper part of the said pipe are apertures c. These provisions permit the steam to circulate freely within and on the outside of the copper pipe. The pipe A is, preferably', surmounted by a cap-pipe, H, provided with a conductor, l, to carry oli any water of condensation which may be carried over with the air or steam.

For the purpose of adjusting the valve before applying the apparatus tothe heatingcoil, I have devised the apparatus represented in. Fig. 5. This consists', essentially', of a T- coupling, J, provided with au internal key, K, attached to a rod, L, which is adapted to slide through a stuffing box, M, in the base ot' the T-coupling, and is slid or turned, as required, by a handle, N. Apertures k, through the walls of the key K, admit steam to the interior of the copper pipe, when the key is applied thereto. 'lhe T-coupling J is screwed upon the end of a steam-pipe, O, provided with a cock, P, of any suitable form.

To obtain a proper adustment of the valve D, the apparatus is applied to the T-couplihg J, as illustrated in Fig. 5. The key K is advanced until it engages with the square G. The cock P is then opened, when the steam, by passing both inside andoutside ofthe copper pipe E, quickly expands the said pipe. The keyK is then turned to the right, so as to force the valve D tightly to its seat. The cap H is then screwed tightly down, and the apparatus, being removed from the adjustingcoupling, is ready to be placed in its permanent position on the steam-coil.

It will now be apparent that, when the pipes A and E cont-ain no steam, the excessive contraction of the copper pipe E, as compared with the iron pipe A, will withdraw the valve `D from its seat.

When steam fills the coil and displaces the air contained therein, the pipe E, by reason of its having steam both inside and out, and by reason, also, of the greater expansibility unor less air being carried in With the steam and separated therefrom as the steam condenses.

An accumulation of dead air necessarily results in the cooling of the-pipe E, the eoect of which is to open the valve, as before stated, and permit the escape of such air under the pressure Within the pipes, and, as soon as the air has escaped, the occupation of its place by steam closes the valve. p

The apparatus is thus automatic in its operation, and requires no attention. It is supplied to the mechanic in readiness for appli cation as simply as an ordinary pipe.

The following` is claimed as new: l

1. The combination of the external iron pipe A, the internal copper pipe E, the valve D, seat B, and openings e, f, and g, to permit the free circulation of steam both inside and ont side the pipe E, as explained.

2. The combination of the pipe A, port b',

valve D, expansible hollow valve-rod or pipe E, and the head F, adjustable, for the purpose of setting the valve in proper normal position, substantially' as explained.

f M. T. DAVIDSON'.

'Witnessesz HENRY C. BANKs,

LoRINe WATSON. 

